The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and armed officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service have burnt 242 sacks of marijuana, 16 kilograms of cocaine, and buckets of heroin at the Osu beach in Accra.
The operation, conducted under the supervision of the Accra Circuit Court, on August 8, 2024, is part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and usage in Ghana.
The illicit drugs, seized during operations on the high seas, were ordered to be destroyed in compliance with orders of the Accra Circuit Court given between 2020 and 2024.
The Registrar of the Circuit Court, Mr. Prosper Kingsley Damankah, supervised the exercise, ensuring the substances were properly disposed of to dismantle the networks involved in the illicit drug trade.
In addition to the sacks of compressed marijuana, the burnt items included buckets, boxes, and bottles filled with cocaine.
The destroyed marijuana substances had a potency of O.6, which is higher than the 0.3 used for industrial purposes.
This action is part of Ghana’s broader strategy to curb the production, sale, and consumption of narcotic substances within the country.
This comes after the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), in collaboration with the UK National Crime Agency, thwarted a major drug trafficking attempt at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.
Acting on intelligence, officers intercepted a total of 166.88 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine on Monday, June 10, 2024, from the luggage of two British passengers travelling together.
According to a NACOC statement, the estimated street value of the seized narcotics is $6.48 million.
The detainees were identified as Hall Shamin Ethline and Graham Omar Adel.
Both were scheduled to board a British Airways flight bound for Gatwick when their luggage raised suspicion. Upon further inspection, all six of their suitcases – three each – were found to contain a total of 72 slabs of the suspected cocaine.
A breakdown of the seizure reveals that Hall Shamin Ethline’s luggage contained approximately 83.44 kilograms of suspected cocaine alongside personal belongings.
Graham Omar Adel’s luggage also contained roughly 83.44 kilograms of suspected cocaine along with his personal items.
Both individuals were arrested to assist with investigations.